Thank you all who commented on my blog last week with the offer of a three-book giveaway of Bonnet Strings: An Amish Woman’s Ties to Two Worlds. I put all your names in a bowl and had David choose three names randomly. They are:
Stacy
Lizzie Hershberger
Tanya Delahoz
Congratulations to all three of you! I’ll be emailing you to get your mailing addresses to send these out this week.
I want to also say a special thank you to Pamela Lakits for her insightful and inspiring comments. She wrote:
Saloma, I would like to say I have the answer for you, but I don’t. I bought and read both of your books. I have to say I do not favor one over the other. I found them both captivating and openly honest. You write on such a personal level that by the time I finished the second book I felt I knew you as a friend who was sharing her life with me. The painful moment’s as well as the joyful ones. I am a fan of your writing Saloma and always will be. Don’t let numbers get you down and confused or distracted. Just keep writing from your heart. It’s what has made me your number one fan!
Pamela, with readers like you, who cares about the numbers? I am grateful that you reminded me of what is important — that which has heart and meaning. Many blessings to you for your kindness.
Pamela’s comment is so true.
Thank you, Katie. I instantly recognized the truth in what she wrote, so it is no wonder that a kindred spirit feels the same.
Blessings to you, Katie.
I too agree with Pamela as that was my experience as well. I remember when I was working and came out the rest room in the break room and the first thing I saw was a co-worker who was reading your book Bonnet Strings. I mentioned how much I loved that book and she had the same opinion and we became good friends because of your book. We were both sad to find out after the fact that you gave a book talk at the Hanover PA library which is close to us. We would have loved to have gone. I liked both books but Bonnet Strings really hit home for me. We had moved to PA from VT only a few years before I read your book and I was missing VT (still do) so being able to read your memories from a place I am familiar with made me really feel like I knew you. Our son and family live in Georgia Vt which is close to where you lived there. You also have a very warm way of writing and drawing people in to your story – like we are there. Please do not stop writing. I am looking forward to your next book and hope if you ever give a book talk in South Central PA again I will not miss it.
Michele, that is such a heartwarming story about your co-worker… especially that you became friends through the book. These are exactly the kinds of stories I need to hear to keep on writing.
I will definitely be back to Hanover. I’ve been there twice now, and the librarians are very welcoming. The audiences have been both big and responsive. I hope to see you in there next time. I will reserve a big hug for you… I feel as though I know you. I always enjoy your comments.
Blessings to you.
Thank you! The first time you were in Hanover I don’t think we were living in PA yet. I had already moved to PA when you gave a book talk at the Aldrich Library in Barre (I worked there the year before we moved here). But I did get to see you in Mt Joy in PA and it was so good to meet you then. I will look forward to that hug.
Blessing to you as well,
Michele
Oh, I forgot the Barre connection. I wish I could say I remember meeting you at Mt. Joy, but that was one of my bigger crowds. I look forward to that hug, too. The best thing about hugs is that you get what you give :)
I hope to meet up with you again in my travels, Michele.
Take good care.